Spencer Hawes, mad if you didn't pick this guy up
Every year in weekly fantasy sports, there’s always those group of guys that seem to come from out of nowhere and start to produce. Look at Melky Cabrera, for example, this past 2011 baseball season. Who saw that 200+ hit season coming from him? I surely didn’t. The point is, It’s always good to be the one who gets to pick that guy up. After your fantasy draft, making those key pickups is what separates your team from the rest. Those key pick ups are how you get to the playoffs and then finals!
In 2008, I remember being the one who picked up Cliff Lee as he pitched me a Cy Young campaign. Again I digress, but this year in weekly fantasy basketball there are plenty more of those types of players right now.
In no particular order:
1. SF, Marvin Williams: Must be owned right now. Unless you play in the shallowest of leagues, Marvin Williams looks as though he’s in for a productive season. He’s rebounding the ball well, averaging a career high 6.8. His scoring could go up, he plays with an athletic enough team and there are still plenty more games to play. As the season wears on, Marvin Williams will be trusted enough for big minutes and key situations. Get him on your team for the right price if you can. I cut Shawn Marion for him.
2. C, Spencer Hawes: I am so mad with myself for cutting this guy for Robin Lopez. For some reason I saw Lopez having a more successful season with the Suns than I did Hawes having a successful season with the Sixers. In the first game of the season, Robin Lopez put up a 21 point, 7 rebound day. I thought I’d be seeing that all year long, but apparently not. Through seven games, Robin Lopez has gone on to average 6.7 points and 5 rebounds while Hawes is cruising at 13.5 pts/11.8 rebs/3.7 assists per game. Spencer Hawes is about to be the Ryan Vogelsong of 2011 fantasy baseball. In translation, 2011 fantasy basketball, free agent pick up, beast!
3. SF/PF, Carly Landry: Carl Landry also looks like he’s going to be a good pick up from this season. Averaging a little over 27 minutes a game, Landry is doing all he can to jump with the big guys on the glass. Through seven games, Carl Landry is putting up 14 points and 6.9 boards a game. He’ll have plenty of minutes due to the coaching staff surely wanting to have plenty of rest for the oft injured Kaman and Okafor, who are by the way doing solid themselves. With Landry providing good depth for the New Orleans front court, coaches won’t feel the need to push big Kaman and block machine Emeka. I’d say Landry can finish the season at around 15 points 7.2 rebounds a night.
4. C, Chris Kaman: I’m sure if you own him, you only have him for his rebounding ability. Averaging only 25 minutes a game, Kaman is putting up 10 points/8.1 rebounds per contest. He’s making the most of his time which certainly makes him worth owning in most standard leagues. He doesn’t have to play as many minutes thanks to Carl Landry, so he’s always going to be on fresh legs. I’m voting for Chris Kaman in 2012.
5. SG, MarShon Brooks: Averaging 14 points, 3.4 rebounds and good for about 1 three pointer a game. The rookie 1st round draft pick (25th overall) is playing well enough to at least own, especially if you need shooting guard help. Playing 23 minutes a game isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. Regardless, 14 points a game in only 23 minutes shows very efficient scoring. He’s been one of the surprises this year playing for the lowly New Jersey Nets. Roll with confidence.
Be sure to check in with our all-new podcast coming soon to WeeklyFantasySportal, presented by Fantazzle. It will be hosted by me, Dave Lawson. Just visit WeeklyFantasySportal and tune in. We’ll be talking about players I like, players I would recommend owning in most fantasy basketball game formats, who to drop or pick up, make trades for and all kinds of other fun stuff.
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